Community group protests plan to build prison in Hunts Point

A group calling itself Communities in Unity showed up at the borough president's office Thursday to protest a plan to build a prison in Hunts Point.

Group members tried to attend a meeting at the borough president's office because they thought the prison was going to be the main topic discussed. However, the borough president's office said that was not the case and promised to meet with the group at another time to discuss the prison proposal.

Communities in Unity members say they will fight the plan for as long as it takes. The proposed prison would be built at the Oak Point area in Hunts Point. Department of Corrections officials say the new prison is needed to ease overcrowding at Rikers Island.